Young people leaving care in Croydon will now have more access to housing, which is set to “hugely benefit” youngsters for the next ten years.

Those who don’t have access to the ‘bank of mum and dad’ are going to be helped so they can continue living in their home borough.

This new scheme will support those leaving Croydon Council's care services and is being run by the council, Andrews Charitable Trust (ACT) and the specialist young people's charity CAYSH.

In the last week ACT) has chosen to invest its latest grant into buying and leasing a new property for 10 years to CAYSH, which which will then house three or four young people aged 18-25 at a time who are leaving the council’s care services.

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Money, money, money

As part of this, the charities have now started looking for a three or four-bedroom house in Croydon that can be converted into suitable accommodation for youngsters, with a budget of £500,000.

Once this home is found, it will become home to care leavers who are ready for their next, independent step in life.

The council’s Gateway service will support these young people to improve their independence, maximise their job prospects and avoid debt.

CAYSH will provide employment-focused support during this time too.

The council’s Gateway service will also help the residents to improve their independence, maximise their job prospects and avoid debt

Croydon Council has around 700 children leaving care who it already supports, by helping them into accommodation, filling forms out and providing references.

Ann Tighe, chief executive of CAYSH, said: “Affordable accommodation in Croydon for young people who don’t have access to the ‘bank of mum and dad’ is a real issue and acts as a barrier to young care leavers being able to live independently without running up debts through rent arrears.

“The inspiration of ACT in starting this project along with the investment by the council in supporting CAYSH to make a real difference shows real foresight.

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“Our collective community responsibility goes wider than just this one house, and we hope more businesses will support initiatives like this which enable young Croydon people with little or no family support to gain employment and remain living in their home borough.

“We are really pleased to be working in partnership with ACT and the council to ensure that the young people of Croydon have an opportunity to fulfil their potential and play a positive role in the community.”

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Julia Pitt, interim director of the council’s Gateway service, said: “Gateway staff support residents to increase their independence, and we are grateful to ACT for this investment because it will help Croydon care leavers at a crucial stage in their lives.

“This funding will hugely benefit Croydon young people over the next 10 years, and the fact we have been chosen over councils nationwide is a real compliment to staff who work hard to support borough residents.”